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Volume 12 August 2009 Number 8

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE BAKERSFIELD CACTUS & SUCCULENT SOCIETY

Monthly MeetingTuesday, August 11Cactus Valley Restaurant4215 Rosedale Highway

at 6:00 PM

(see map on page 5)

Please note thePlease note the change ofchange of

place and timeplace and time for the Meeting!for the Meeting!

This Month's Program

Dinner atCactus Valley

Volume 12 Number 8

August 2009The is the official publication of the Bakersfield

Cactus & Succulent Society of Bakersfield, California

Membership in the Bakersfield Cactus & Succulent Society costs $10 per year for an individual and only $15 a year for a family.

Visit Us On the Web!www.BakersfieldCactus.org

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Our Annual Summer Dinner at Cactus Valley

Join us for a sociable evening with all your friends and families from the

Bakersfield Cactus & Succulent Society at

Cactus Valley Restaurant4215 Rosedale Highway

6:00 pm

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CONTACT INFORMATIONPresident: Ed ColleyCactusWoodsEd00@aol.comMembership: Maynard Moelithops44@bak.rr.comNewsletter/Website: Stephen Cooleythecactuspatch@bak.rr.com

AUGUST’S PROGRAM

Euphorbia esculenta is one of the “caput medusa” group of Euphorbias. These are plants that develop as a cluster of stems radiating out from a central caudex. The effect is rather like the famous Medusa with her head covered by writhing snakes. In most cases the caudex in mostly under ground so the plant forms a sort of rosette of arms.

In the case of E. esculenta, the caudex is almost completely buried and may be 8 inches (20 cm.) across. The individual arms are about 0.5 in. (1 cm.) think and 6-8 in. (15-20 cm.) long rising in a gentle curve until the tips point skyward rather than lying horizontally on the ground as some others in this group do.

E. esculenta is native to South Africa’s Cape Province. It has been used as cattle feed which indicates that its sap may not be as irritating as some other Euphorbias. Its main use to humans may be as an ornamental plant in xeriscapes because of its great drought tolerance. It is however not frost tolerant so one must live in a relatively front free place if you expect to grow this plant in the ground outside. Like most Euphorbias it likes soil which drains well and infrequent watering. Mine is watered every 4-5 days in the summer greenhouse where the temps have ranged from lows of 65 F, to 105 F. Blooms are white to cream and appear in clusters at the tips of arms in the spring.

Jack G. Reynolds-4-

The July meeting started at our usual place and then we scurried off down the road to Vice President Paul’s house for a look at his plants.

Before the exodus we discussed the very full Brag Table (see Bruce’s write up on page 14). Then, we tried our luck at getting some first-class raffle plants, including some very nice gardening books brought in by Dan Nystrom. We also received a donation of some wonderful Hoya journals from Nabil Elesibai.

Once at Paul’s house we were overwhelmed by the variety, volume, and quality of his plants. He certainly stays busy watering. We saw everything from large, old specimens, to brand new seedlings. There were also several birds and fish as well. We were treated to wonderful snacks and conversation by his parents who made us all feel welcome.

Rare Mammillaria x Lycopersicongraft crest From the Lynn McDonald

collection

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The Upcoming Show & Saleby Stephen Cooley

Our Annual Cactus & Succulent Show & Sale is coming up on October 10 and 11 at the East Hills Mall. This is by far the biggest event we do each year and member support is crucial to its success. Our previous Shows have all been very successful – we’ve had plenty of plants in the show and plenty of plants to sell. Last year we had so many people come to see the show on Saturday that we nearly ran out of sale plants. The responses from the people that came to see the show were always complimentary. Now is the time to start getting ready for the show!

The most important element to our show is the plants themselves. Our show has always been different from most others in that its emphasis has been on education and not competition. We need a large variety of plants to show the public the great diversity that exists among the succulents. Many people are unaware of just how many weird and wonderful plants there are. In considering which plants you might want to bring to the show, remember that your most ‘ordinary’ plant may be extraordinary to those viewing the show. No plant is too small to bring, it just needs to look nice. Start potting up your good plants into better pots if they need it. Clean out some of the dirt and leaves that have blown into the spines. Buy something nice at the upcoming Intercity Show (see next page). Get rid of any mealybugs/aphids/scale that may be on your plants.

Another thing to keep in mind is that we need to have members available to talk to the public about the plants and about our club. This requires a lot of hours, but there are plenty of members to share the workload (There will be a sign-up sheet at the September meeting).

Everyone has something to contribute, let’s make t his our best show ever!

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24th Inter-City Cactus and Succulent Show and Sale

August 15-16 9:00 - 5:00Los Angeles County Arboretum

301 N Baldwin Ave, Arcadia

2009 Show Theme ~ Plants for a Dry PlanetThe 2009 Inter-city Show theme is

“Plants from a Dry Planet”

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C.S.S.A. ToursA Letter From Bruce

On 19 June Polly and I celebrated 45 years of marriage. We had dinner at Macaroni Grill and then

went to FLICS at the Fox for “Man on Wire,” the story of the 1974 wire walk between the two

towers of the World Trade Center. It may seem like an odd film for an anniversary, but

that year I received my Ph.D. from NYU and we celebrated 10 years of marriage. We also watched the twin towers go up. Polly also made the day memorable by presenting me with an anniversary quilt showing the seven states and three African countries we have lived in. In case you somehow missed it, there was an article in the Californian:

http://www.bakersfield.com/news/local/x1216782713/Sew-much-to-remember

The Fresno Cactus Club had a BBQ on the 1st of July with the usual silent auction, mating of Adeniums etc. Of course we also went to the Bakersfield meet which ended at Paul’s fabulous collection.

But back to Tucson:Monday the 13th of April was devoted to tours. We chose the

Kartchner Caverns and had a leisurely morning when we were shuffled

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to the afternoon tour. We had lunch at Eegee’s, a local chain before joining the tour bus. Polly is writing about the cavern. That evening we had a so-so meal at the Safron Indian Bistro.

On Tuesday Polly and Anne went on an Audubon tour to see Arizona birds. Anne is writing about that. The tour was extended by two hours, so we were late meeting Margaret Villanueva, James’ mother-in-law who now lives in Tucson. We eventually had ice tea at her apartment. At 5 we returned to the conference for drinks (margarita’s) with the Fresno bunch at Herb Thorne’s room. We have known Herb since he was a fellow member of the Kern Cactus and Succulent Society back in the 60s. As we left the party, we saw a great horned owl in the nearby trees.

On Wednesday, we all three visited historic sites south of Tucson. Sam Williams of Carmichael (Sacramento area) whom I met in 87 at the Phoenix convention was also on the bus. I am writing about that.

We started with a tour of Tumacacori, an old mission an hour and a quarter south of Tucson. The mission is being restored but is no longer used. Gloria Moroyoqui demonstrated tortilla making, but her “hot” sauce was mild.

Next we went 40 minutes back north to Tubac where there is an old Presidio. It is now a sprawling artists’ colony. We looked at a shop which had a display of artifacts from the Huichol which had bright colors which reflected the visions from the Peyote cacti eaten in their rituals. We then had an excellent lunch at the De Anza Restaurant. After lunch

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Gloria Moroyoqui, Anne and Polly at TumacacoriHerb Thorn (right) and Fresnans

we visited the Tohono Village which exhibited the Tohono O’odham (formerly misnamed Papago) culture. Polly and Anne even found a quilt shop, although it sold finished products and not the starting materials they were looking for.

Finally we visited San Xavier del Bac, a Mission in great shape which is still used by the Tohono O’odham. The artwork inside included paintings of humming birds on ocotillos and chollas, baskets with saguaro designs, and a prickly pear in metal by the gift shop. This was in addition to all the usual saints etc. We returned to the convention in time to see Woody and others packing up their goods. We did not stay for the closing banquet. As we left the convention we saw a Cooper’s Hawk among the trees.

All of Bruce’s letters can be viewed online at

www.bakersfieldcactus.org/thecactuspatch/bruce/bruce.html

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Polly and Anne at San Xavier del Bac

Polly at Tubac

Polly and Anne at the Caverns (see next page)

by Polly HargreavesOn Monday, April 13th, Anne, Bruce and I toured the Kartchner Caverns. It is about 55 miles southeast of Tucson. Yucca elata with tall flower stalks was in the area along with Ocotilla which likes limestone; and therefore, indicates the possibility of cave formations.The entrance is protected by a series of airlocks to keep the temperature and humidity constant. There are smooth, wheelchair accessible paths with high curbs and hand rails to guide you and

to protect the formations. I hope these extraordinary measures really will protect the cave for the future.

It is the most “live” cave I have been in with a temperature of 71 F. and 99 % humidity. With these “growing” conditions, it has many stunning features. Kartchner Caverns is home to:

• one of the world's longest soda straw stalactites: 21 feet 2 inches (Throne Room)

• the tallest and most massive column in Arizona, Kubla Khan: 58 feet tall (Throne Room)

• the world's most extensive formation of brushite moonmilk (Big Room)

• the first reported occurrence of “turnip” shields (Big Room)• the first cave occurrence of “birdsnest” needle quartz formations• many other unusual formations such as shields, totems,

helictites, and rimstone dams. For the history of this cave and more information see:

http://azstateparks.com/Parks/KACA/The picture above is from the website as no photos are allowed

inside. This bell canopy is one of many fascinating features on the Rotunda-Throne Room tour at Kartchner Caverns State Park. It is formed by water flowing over a bump on the wall, then dripping to create this beautiful formation.

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Madera Canyon Birding TourBy Anne Lee

On Tuesday, April 14 Polly and I went on the Audubon Society birding tour. It was a long drive by bus to Madera Canyon, about 30 miles from the Mexico border. Shortly before the turnoff to the canyon we met two guides from the Audubon Society. We were let off at the entrance to the canyon and walked uphill while the bus drove up to meet us. As we hiked a trail through the woods we had many birds pointed out along the way.

We reboarded the bus and were taken to a bed and breakfast

where there were many birdfeeders set up and we could watch birds come to feed. There were varieties of birds here that we hadn’t seen along the hike, especially different varieties of hummingbirds. We then went to another area of the canyon where we were given sandwiches to eat for lunch while we watched more birds.

Some of the birds we saw in the canyon were:

Turkey vulture, Raven, Black capped nutcatcher, Mexican jay, Audubon’s Warbler, Bridal titmouse, Scott’s oriole, Yellow rump warbler, Broadbilled hummingbird, Magnificent hummingbird, Canyon towhee, White crowned sparrow, White crested nuthatch, Acorn wood-

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pecker and Summer tanager (male)An interesting aspect of the trip was listening to the conversations

of others. Some men who sat behind us on the bus talked about other cactus club members the whole time, all the ones they talked about being people we knew, but they didn’t know that. And they say women gossip!

The July Brag table was the fullest ever. Nabil Elesibai brought a Hoya Krimble as well as a stack of Hoya journals for the library. These are Australian succulents, so it went well with the book on succulents of Australia I brought in (borrowed from Fresno). I brought a grass tree (Xanthorrhoea quadrangulata) although the book says it is not succulent. The roots are!

I also brought Baynesia lophophora, a rare stapeliad from one locality in NW Namibia. It has tiny red flowers. This went with the Askelios journal I donated as it has an article I wrote. I also donated a number of Cactus & Succulent Journals from Fresno.

Frank Melvin brought a beautiful plant of Crassula falcata with red flowers. Rose Mary Maguire brought a Sedum species and a Mammillaria elongata, both of which had won first prize at the April show of the Green Thumb Garden Club. Stephen Cooley brought in Urgenia altissima, a succulent bulb which he had grown from seed from Botswana. He also brought the Fall 08 issue of Fremontia (journal of the California Native Plant Society) which had an article on Coryphanthas of California by Stephen Ingram.

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Aug 11 BCSS Meeting at Cactus Valley 6:00 pmSept 8 BCSS Meeting at 6:30PM Olive Dr. Church.

speaker: Nick Wilkersonprogram: Baja California

Oct 10-11 BCSS Show & SaleOct 13 BCSS Meeting at 6:30PM Olive Dr. Church.

Aug 15-16 Intercity Show & Sale, L.A. Arboretum. 301 No. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, Ca.

Sept 5 Huntington Botanical Gardens Succulent Symposium. All day at the Huntington, renowned speakers on Desert Plant topics. Fee: $75.00 with an additional charge of $25.00 for the dinner. www.huntington.org

Nov. 7-8 San Gabriel Valley C&SS Show & Sale. La County Arboretum. www.arboretum.org

Dec. 5-6 Orange County Winter Show &Sale. Fullerton Arboretum, 1900 Associated Road, Fullerton, Ca

To have your article or picture (or whatever else you might have) printed in contact:

Stephen Cooley thecactuspatch@bak.rr.com

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UPCOMING EVENTS